MaineHealth Maine Medical Center (MHMMC) Portland is proud to be a four-time American Nurses Credentialing Center MAGNET-recognized medical center. MHMMC Portland offers many opportunities for nurses to thrive and excel in today’s complex health care environment. A state-of-the-art simulation laboratory, professional development opportunities within the hospital and strong national academic partnerships all support professional development for nurses.
Interprofessional collaboration and partnerships, including patients and families, leads to a culture of evidenced-based practice. And, our robust research program allows nurses to study and test current clinical practice guidelines and advance standards of care. By supporting nurses with the tools they need to provide excellent care, we achieve extraordinary patient outcomes.
MHMMCP Nursing Biennial Report
MHMMCP is home to one of the most accomplished and talented nursing teams in the country. Learn more about this outstanding team of nearly 2,000 professionals.
Professional Practice Roles
The Certified Wound Ostomy and Continence Nurses and Burn Nursing Team partners with nationally known burn experts in leading this cutting-edge burn and soft tissue service. The Burn Program is in an exciting state of growth and preparing for Burn Center Verification. Aspects of the role include:
- Provide clinical expertise in burn and wound nursing care practice through direct and indirect care
- Provide leadership in the care of patients with burn injuries and/or complex wounds
- Help to facilitate/plan interdisciplinary burn team meetings, foster team dynamics and act as a resource for burn team members
- Plan and provide education in the area of burns and wounds to interdisciplinary providers and consumers
- Provide expert consultation to health care providers and others to influence positive patient and family outcomes
- Ensure use of best practice and evidence-based care
- Follow patients through all phases of recovery including critical/acute care, out-patient care and reconstructive phases to help them achieve the best possible outcomes
Our team of Diabetes RNs demonstrate their expertise and professionalism by being Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) who care for our inpatient population. These nurse educators collaborate with the health care team on the care of acute, episodic illness and insulin pump therapy across the organization for all age populations. This fast pace role:
- provides diabetes education and clinical support to patients and interprofessional staff members in both individual and group settings,
- acts on outcomes data,
- develops and delivers clinical diabetes management protocols or pathways, and
- is a healthcare resource expert for our diabetic patient population.
These expert clinical nurses serve on the Interprofessional Patient Glucose Control Management Team and other glycemic initiatives as needed.
Clinical Nurse Leaders (CNLs) are Master’s prepared, advanced generalist nurses with a specialty certification. They work with patients across the continuum of care within any health care setting to better clinical outcomes. The CNL role was incorporated into our nursing professional practice model in 2006. MHMMC Portland was instrumental at the national and local level with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing to champion and implement this new program and nursing role through partnerships between academic and practice leaders in nursing.
Since welcoming the first local cohort of CNLs into practice at MHMMC Portland in 2007, CNLs have demonstrated themselves as leaders within today’s complex health care environment. CNLs serve as an expert resource to the interprofessional teams at the microsystem level with focus on:
- Evidence-based practice
- Care coordination
- Transitions of care
- Interprofessional communication
- Team leadership
- Risk assessment
- Quality improvement
- Outcomes measurement.
CNLs are well positioned at the point of care to facilitate or lead complex change in alignment with a value-based focus that elevates the safety and quality of care for our patients, while reducing health care costs.
Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS) are advanced practice registered nurses who have graduate preparation (Master’s or Doctorate) in nursing. The CNS provides clinical expertise and support to the team caring for patients at the bedside and ensures best practices and evidence-based care are implemented throughout the institution to achieve the best possible patient outcomes. Currently, MHMMC Portland has CNS resources in adult health/geriatrics and critical care.
Professional Practice Model
Our nurses are committed to living our professional practice model every day. Partnership with patients, families, the interdisciplinary care team and our communities are at the center of the model. The model is a framework for nursing at the center of our care delivery system. It exemplifies professionalism in nursing where evidence-based practice, ethical care, self-regulation/governance, accountability and service come alive. The foundation of the model is comprised of our nursing mission, vision, and values, which align with those of the MaineHealth organization.
The 2021-2022 Nursing Strategic Plan highlights nursing role aligns with the Hospital Strategic Plan and AIP goals. The areas of Transformational Leadership, Structural Empowerment, Exemplary Professional Practice and New Knowledge, Innovations and Improvements leading to exceptional empirical outcomes mirror the ANCC Magnet Model. Evaluation of the plan and the development of the Nursing Strategic Plan for. Areas of focus are on patient satisfaction, staff satisfaction, professional development, value-based care and reduction of hospital acquired infections.
Our Professional Practice Offices monitor quality process that are that are emphasized as priorities according to Regulatory Standards of Practice, National Patient Safety Goals, and MHMMC Portland’s and Nursing Strategic Plan. Data is submitted to national data banks for Nurse Satisfaction, Nursing Sensitive Indicators and Patient Experience and HCAHPS reporting and benchmarked with other like institutions.
Clinical Nurse Advancement Program
MHMMC Portland’s Clinical Nurse Advancement Program (CNAP) formally recognizes and rewards increasing levels of nursing clinical expertise and commitment to patient care, MHMMC Portland, and to the nursing profession. The program offers MHMMC Portland nurses an opportunity for career development and recognition for advancement in their area of practice. Nurses must be licensed to practice in the State of Maine, must document their education and experience, demonstrate competence, and adhere to the profession's ethical standards as well as the standards of MHMMC Portland. Each nurse assumes responsibility for his/her own career goals, and within the parameters of the Program, establishes his/her rate of progression through defined levels of practice. These levels represent the standard of practice and professional responsibility deemed acceptable for clinical advancement and recognition at MHMMC Portland.